Follow live: Heads of Delegation meet in Stockholm

Each public broadcaster taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest appoints a Head of Delegation. This person is the European Broadcasting Union's contact person and the leader of their delegation, which includes the Head of Press, performers, song writers, composers, backing vocalists and other people. 

From Sunday to Tuesday this week they are meeting in Stockholm to get the latest updates from the contest and to officially submit their entries. This means that all the entries will be officially presented right here on Eurovision.tv on the artist profiles, and you can watch the preview videos on the Eurovision Song Contest Youtube Channel. So it is worth checking for new additions during this week.

All material delivered

Till today's meeting, all delegations had to hand in their 2016 Eurovision Song Contest entries to host broadcaster SVT.

Bulgarian broadcaster BNT, which hosted the 2015 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, has been permitted by the EBU to release their song and video on Sunday 20th of March. Croatia, Iceland and Malta have also been granted permission to release their respective preview videos by that date. All necessary materials that are required for the host broadcaster to prepare the acts for the live shows have been delivered in time, in accordance with the Eurovision Song Contest Rules.

The Postcards

More information about the postcards that will introduce the 43 acts before their performance in the Grand Final and the two Semi-Finals of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest has been announced today. They have been produced by Camp David, incorporating the "magic" of the Eurovision Song Contest logo, a dandelion that also reminds of the shape of the Stockholm Globe Arena.

The postcards have been recorded in the respective home countries of the representatives, showing both parts of their personal lifes and scenic views and typical impressions from their land. Three to four locations in each countries have been chosen for the shoots.

Some artists have already shown a glimpse of their respective postcard recording sessions on home ground:

Modern Innovation Live

There will be a standing audience again, cheering for the artists right in front of the stage. Despite permanent tries to make the Eurovision Song Contest shows look perfect, with weeks of rehearsals and the usage of the most up-to-date technology, the viewers will be constantly reminded that it is a live show. 

Facts about the stage

• The stage is 24 meters wide x 16 meters deep
• The size of the LED wall is 37 x 10 m. Centerpiece 12 meter.
• The LED floor is 230 square metres.
• The foundation weighs 60 tons.
• There are 74 recessed pyro-positions in the stage.
• The catwalk is 32 metres.
• The B-stage is in the middle of the Globe.
• There are 330 lights on the set. Not counted the lights hanging from the ceiling or other lights in the arena.
• It takes about 12 days to put up the stage design and three extra days for the Green Room etc. Average amount of persons working is 20, but some days they are up to 30 persons.
• It took 10 months to desing/create the stage design

Preliminary Dates for 2017 set

The EBU has announced the preliminary dates for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest: The First Semi-Final will take place on 16 May, the Second Semi-Final on 18 May, and the Grand Final on 20 May, 2017. The dates have been chosen to not clash with major TV and sports events but they can still change in coordination with the 2017 host broadcaster.

Official CD and DVD release

The official CD of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, as well digital bundles, will be released from 15 April. The official DVD, including full recordings of the three live shows, will be available from 17 June.

The Heads of Delegation

In football, each club has a coach, at the Olympics, each delegation has a chef de mission and at the Eurovision Song Contest, each delegation is being managed by the Head of Delgation.

Each public broadcaster taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest appoints a Head of Delegation. This person is the European Broadcasting Union's contact person and the leader of his/her delegation, which includes the Head of Press, performers, song writers, composers, backing vocalists and other people.

As participating in the Eurovision Song Contest is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most artists, the experience of the Head of Delegation is crucial!

Traditionally, the delegation head visits the Heads of Delegation meeting in March, where everyone is being informed on the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.